China will send more young volunteers abroad this year than the combined figure since 2002, when the first batch ventured out.

About 150-200 volunteers will go to developing countries in Asia, Africa and, for the first time, to Latin America this year.

"Since the first batch of five went to Myanmar in 2002, we have sent 109 volunteers to Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Ethiopia," Wang Xuefeng, an official with the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League of China, said at a press conference in Beijing yesterday.

The volunteers provide services such as teaching Chinese, computer skills and agricultural technologies as well as sports training and traditional Chinese medicine treatment.

Their hard work has so impressed the countries that they have asked for more volunteers, said Wang.

"Ethiopia alone asked us to send volunteers for more than 300 positions this year. The total number needed has exceeded 1,000," said Wang.

The Ministry of Commerce, which has been in charge of the programme since last year, said the first batch of about 100 will leave for Laos before the end of this month, and 60 would head for Ethiopia next month.

Recruitment for the Ethiopia project is scheduled to start today.

"Chinese citizens between the age of 20 and 35 with a college diploma and above are all welcome to sign up at hwfw.youth.cn," said Wang.

"This year we will send volunteers to Cambodia in Asia, Zimbabwe in Africa and Guyana in Latin America for the first time," said Sai Danxia, an official with the ministry.

The ministry covers travel expenses, pays a monthly allowance of US$200 and provides medical and accident insurance.

Source: China Daily